Chlorinators



April 1, 1958 Q E, McKAY 2,828,763

CHLORINATORS Filed NOV. 25, 1955 ATTORNEY United States @arentCHLORINATGRS Charles E. McKay, Orlando, Fla.

Application November 23, 1955, Serial No. 548,628

Claims. (Cl. 137-389) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements and structural refinements in chlorinators, and theprincipal object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herein described which may :be conveniently and effectivelyemployed for introducing chlorine into water.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of achlorinator having a suction tube adapted to be inserted in a chlorinecontainer and an outlet tube adapted to be connected to the intake of awater pump, whereby chlorine is withdrawn from the container andthoroughly mixed with the water passing through the pump by the actionof the pump itself.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of valvemeans for accurately controlling the rate of ow of chlorine through thedevice, so that the mixing of the chlorine and water takes place in aproper, predetermined proportion.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of acheck valve on the suction tube of the device, so that in the event thesupply of chlorine in the container is exhausted, the suction tube doesnot pull air to deprive the pump of its prime.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of acheck valve on the outlet tube of the device, that is, between thedevice and the pump, so that the device and the chlorine containercannot become flooded with water in the event of a backilow from thepump.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity ofconstruction and operation and in its adaptability to simple andconvenient maintenance.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing and the following detailed description which areintended as illustrative of the inventive thought rather than aslimiting the invention to specific details set forth therein.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional view of the invention, taken in a vertical planeand illustrating a portion of the chlorine container by dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the planeof the line 2 2 in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the planeof the line 3-3 in Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in the planeof the line 4 4 in Figure l.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in detail, the chlorinator isdesignated generally by the reference numeral and embodies in itsconstruction a blockshaped, horizontally elongated body member 11 whichis provided in one end portion thereof with a vertical bore 12, closedat its upper end and formed at its lower end with a screw-threadedcounterbore 13.

The other end portion of the member 11 accommodates a ow control valvedesignated generally by the numeral 14, for which purpose the member 11is provided With a vertical bore 15 having a relatively deep,

screw-threaded counterbore 16 at its upper end and a bore portion 17 ofan enlarged diameter at its lower end. The bore portion 17, in turn,communicates with a screw-threaded counterbore 18 at the underside ofthe member 11. A longitudinally extending bore or passage 19 is providedin the member 11 to connectl the bore portion 17 with the aforementionedbore 12, the outer end of the passage 19 being suitably plugged, asindicated at 20.

A substantially cylindrical coupling 21 is connected to and depends fromthe member 11, the coupling 21 having a diametrically reduced,screw-threaded upper end portion 22 fastened in the counterbore 18 andalso being provided immediately under the portion 22 with an annularllange or shoulder 23 which abuts a seat 24 formed in the underside o-fthe member 11 concentrically with the counterbore 18. The coupling 21 isequipped at its lower end with a diametrically reduced nipple 25, towhich is connected the upper end of a flexible suction tube or hose 26.y

The aforementioned flow control valve 14 comprises an annular seat 27which is pressed in a counterbore in the upper end of the couplingVportion 22 and, of course, communicates with the suction tube 26through the medium of an axial bore 21a in the coupling. A suitablegasket 28 is provided in the counterbore 18 at the upper end of thecoupling portion 22 and in surrounding relation with the valve seat .27and the valve 14 also includes a needle 29 which is engageable with theseat 27, as will Ybe clearly apparent.

The needle 29 is rotatable in the bores 15, 17 and has a screw-threadedportion 30 in operative engagement with an internally and externallythreaded bushing 31 disposed in the lower portion of the counterbore 16.The upper end portion of the needle projects above the body member 11and carries a suitable knob 32 which is secured thereto by a set screw33. p y

It will be apparent'from the foregoing that by simply manipulating theknob 32 of the needle 29, the flow of lluid from the suction tube 26 tothe passage 19 and bore 12 may be accurately controlled.

A substantially tubular adapter 34 encloses the coupling 21 and has theupper edge thereof in abutment with the shoulder 23 of the coupling. Theadapter 34 is formed integrally at its lower end with a diametricallyreduced portion 35 which is receivable in the mouth or neck 36 of achlorine container 37. A sealing ring 38 is provided in an annulargroove on the outside of the adapter portion 35 so as to tightly fit theneck of the container, and a similar sealing ring 39, seated in anannular groove on the outside of the coupling 21 is tightly received ina similar groove on the inside of the adapter body 34, so as to preventleakage between these two parts. The portion 35 of the adapter freelyaccommodates therein the aforementioned nipple 25 as well as the upperend portion of the tube 26, and it will be noted that by simplywithdrawing the adapter portion 35 from the mouth of the container 37,the container may be refilled with chlorine or replaced by a fullcontainer, whenever necessary. The adapter 34 is provided at one sidethereof with an aperture 34 whereby the interior of the container isvented to the atmosphere through the hollow portion 35.

The suction tube 26 is provided at its lower end with an inlet checkvalve designated generally by the numeral 40, the same comprising anupright cylindrical housing 41 provided with a relatively large Valvechamber 42 and with a relatively small duct 43 disposed at one side ofand parallel with the chamber 42. The lower'end portion of the housing41 is provided with a transverse drilling 44 which connects the lowerend of the duct 43 with the lower end of the chamber 42, the outer endof Patented Apr.' i, 195s the drilling i4 being suitably plugged asindicated at 45. The chamber 42 communicates with the interior of thechlorine container 37 through its open upper end and also through alateral opening 46 provided in the housing il intermediate the ends ofthe chamber, whereby chlorine may enter the chamber even when it is at alow level in the container.

A substantially cylindrical valve element 47 is movable vertically inthe chamber 42, the element 47 preferably being hollow as shown so thatit is buoyant and floats upon the liquid in the chamber. The lower endportion of the element 47 is equipped with an annular sealing ring 48which is engageable with an annular seat 49 formed in the lower portionof the chamber 4Z, below the inlet opening 46.

The lower end of the tube 26 is connected to a nipple 50 having a angedbase portion S1 adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the upperend of the housing 41, the base portion 51 being formed with an obliquepassageway 52 which establishes communication between the duct 43 andthe tube 26, as will be clearly understood. The diameter of the baseportion 5l is such that it partially covers the upper end of the chamber42 and prevents the valve element 47 from sliding out of the chamber inthe event that at any time the device should become inverted.

When the device is in operation and chlorine is being drawn from thecontainer 37 through the tube 26 and valve 40, the valve element 47 willnormally tloat on the level of liquid in the chamber 42 in a raisedposition from the seat 49 to maintain the valve open. However, if thesupply of chlorine in the container 37 should become exhausted, thefalling level thereof will permit the element 47 to move downwardly inthe chamber 42 until the ring 4S of the element 47 contacts the seat 49and closes the valve. ln this manner, sucking of air into the tube 26will be prevented, such as would otherwise cause the pump (hereinaftermentioned) to lose its prime,

Referring now to the right hand portion of Figure lI it will be seenthat a cylindrical outlet valve body 53 depends from the body member l1and is provided at its upper end with a screw-threaded portion 54,secured in the counterbore 13. An annular sealing ring 55 is posh tionedon the portion 54 between a seat 56 formed ou the body 53 and a similarseat 57 provided at the under side of the member l1 concentrically withthe counterbore 13. The body 53 has a closed upper end provided with anaperture SS in which is pressed a cone-shaped spout 59, whereby chlorinepassing through the bores 19 and l2 is discharged into the valve body53.

The valve body 53 accommodates therein a vertically movable valveelement 6G which, like the element 47, is substantially cylindrical andhollow so as to be buoyant on the liquid in the valve chamber 53a ot thebody 53. The upper end portion of the element is formed with steppedshoulders having two sealing rings 6l, 62 mounted thereon, these ringsbeing vertically spaced and of different diameters, adapted to engagevertically spaced valve seats 63, 64, respectively, provided in thevalve chamber 53a.

The lower end portion of the valve body 53 is internally threaded toreceive a connector 65, a sealing ring 66 being interposed between thelower end of the body and a shoulder 67 on the connector, to preventleakage. The connector is equipped at the bottom thereof with a threadednipple 68 to receive a conventional coupling nut 69 whereby a exibleoutlet hose or tube 7l), provided with a ilared end 70a is connected tothe nipple 68.

The other end of the tube 70 is connected to the intake of a suitablewater pump (not shown), so that chlorine drawn through the device fromthe container 37 and regulated as to rate of iiow by the valve 14, isproperly mixed with the water passing through the pump by the action ofthe pump itself.

In normal operation, the lower end of the outlet valve element 60 restsupon the top surface of the connector 65, since no appreciable amount ofchlorine is present in the valve chamber 53a to raise the buoyantelement 60. In other Words, the .chlorine passes through the chamber 53aas fast as it is permitted to flow through the control valve 14, and itwill be observed that the lower end of the element 6G is provided with aplurality of transverse grooves 71 to facilitate flow of chlorine, eventhough the element 60 rests upon the top surface ot the connector 65.However, in the event of any back flow of water occurring at the pumpand passing to the device through the hose 70, the lling of the chamber53a with water will automatically raise Vthe buoyant valve element 6i)so that the sealing rings 6l, 62 thereof are brought in contact with thevalve seats 63, 64. Thus, the valve will be closed and ilooding of thedevice as well as back ow of water into the chlorine container will beprevented.

The entire apparatus is preferably made -from material such asPlexiglas, or the like, which is highly resistant to the chemical actionof chlorine. The various sealing rings or gaskets 28, 38, 39, 62., etc.are preferably made from soft rubber or neoprene, while the needle 2%and seat 27 are either of pure silver or silver plated.

Although the invention is primarily intended for use as a chlorinator,it may obviously also be used in other environments, wherever mixing oftwo different fluids is to be performed.

While in the'foregoing there has been shown and described the prefer-redembodiment of the invention, various modilications may become apparentto those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly,it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and variousmodifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A chlorinator adapted to be connected to the intake of a water pumpfor introducing chlorine in water passing through the pump, saidchlorinator comprising a suction tube adapted to be inserted in achlorine container, a normally open inlet check valve provided at thelower end of said suction tube, a ow control valve connected to theupper end of the suction tube, a normally open outlet check valvecommunicating with said flow control valve, and an outlet tubecommunicating with the outlet check valve and adapted to be connected tothe intake of a pump, said inlet valve being adapted to be closed byfalling level of chlorine in the stated container and said outlet valvebeing adapted to be closed by backflow from the stated pump.

2. A chlorinator adapted to Ibe connected to the intake of a water pumpfor introducing chlorine in water passing through the pump, saidchlorinator comprising a horizontally elongated member formed with alongitudinally eX- tending passage, a ilow control valve provided insaid member at one end of said passage, an outlet valve body dependingfrom said member in communication with the other end of the passage, anormally open check valve provided in said outlet valve ibody, an outlettube communicating with the outlet valve body and adapted to beconnected to the intake of a pump, a coupling depending from said memberin communication with said flow control valve, a suction tube connectedto said coupling and adapted to be inserted in a chlorine container, anda normally open inlet check valve provided at the lower end of saidsuction tube, said lirst mentioned check valve being adapted to beclosed by backllow from the stated pump and said inlet check valve beingadapted to be closed by falling level of chlorine in the statedcontainer.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 together with an adapter provided onsaid coupling and receivable in the mouth of a chlorine container, saidadapter including a main body portion receiving said coupling therein,and a depending container engaging portion having said suction tubeextending freely therethrough.

4. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said inlet check valvecomprises a vertically elongated housing provided with a longitudinallyextending valve chamber and with a duct parallel to and at one side ofsaid Valve chamber, the upper end of said duct communicating with saidsuction tube and the lower end ofthe duct communicating with the bottomof the Valve chamber, a fluid inlet opening provided at one side of saidhousing in communication with said valve chamber, a valve seat providedin the valve chamber below said opening, and a buoyant valve membermovable vertically in said chamber and engageable with said seat at thelower end of its movement, when chlorine in the stated container fallsto the level of said opening.

5. The device as dened in claim 2 wherein the outlet valve body isprovided intermediate the ends thereof with a seat, said outlet tubebeing connected to the lower end of said valve body, and said outletvalve member being buoyant and movable vertically in said valve bodybelow the seat and engageable with said seat at the upper end of itsmovement, in the presence of backow from the stated pump.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 101,694,407 Carnon Dec. 11, 192s 2,358,591 Pugatz Sept. 19, 1944 2,524,966Eisenman Oct. 10, 1950 2,656,849 Deatrick et al. Oct. 27, 1953 152,711,252 Oliver June 21, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,346 Great Britain of1907

1. A CHLORINATOR ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE OF A WATER PUMPFOR INTRODUCTING CHLORINE IN WATER PASSINTO THROUGH THE PUMP, SAIDCHLORINATOR COPMPRISING A SICTION TUBE ADAPTED TO VE INSERTED IN ACHLORINE CONTAINER, A NORMALLY OPEN INLET CHECK VALVE PROVIDED AT THELOWER END OF SAID SUCTION TUBE, A FLOW CONTROL VALVE CONNECTED TO THEUPPER END OF THE SUCTION TUBE, A NORMALLY OPEN OUTLET CHECK VALVECOMMUNICATING WITH SAID FLOW CONTROL VALVE AND AN OUTLET TUBECOMMUNICATING WITH SAID FLOW CONTROL VALVE, VALVE AND ADAPTED TO BECONNECTED TO THE INTAKE OF A PUMP SAID INLET VALVE BEING ADAPTE TO BECLOSED BY FALLING LEVEL OF CHLORINE IN THE STATED CONTAINER AND SAIDOUTLET VALVE BEING ADAPTED TO BE CLOSELY BY BACKFLOW FROM THE STATEDPUMP.